Two-piece wristband with interchangeable lasso band element for user selectable sizing

ABSTRACT

A wearable band with an adjustable size or length. The band includes a first band element with a raised center or identification member. The band includes a second band element with a body having a loop or lasso at one end defined by an inner surface of a sidewall. The outer sidewall of the raised center member is detachably coupled to the inner surface of the loop-defining sidewall when the center member is received within and captured by the loop such as by a snap detent arrangement. To allow sizing, the second band element includes both an inner band sizing element including the loop-defining sidewall at one of its ends and an outer band sizing element that is detachably coupled to the inner band sizing element. The length of the second band element is defined by the combined length of the inner and outer band sizing elements.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/714,778, filed on Mar. 1, 2010, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Description

The present description relates, in general, to wearable bands such aswristbands that are adjustable in size, and, more particularly, towearable band assemblies that include a multi-sizing mechanism providedby a two-piece band design, e.g., including a lasso band element thatmates with a base (or identification) band element, that allows the bandto be sized in a tool-less manner by a user or wearer.

2. Relevant Background

Bands such as wristbands are worn in numerous settings. For example,watches have typically been worn on a wrist through the use of awristband. In hospitals, patients often are provided an identificationbracelet, strap, or band that they wear on their wrist. An amusement ortheme park may provide a visitor or guest with a wristband that includesidentification information or technology (e.g., a readable bar code, aradio frequency identification (RFID) transceiver or module, or thelike) that identifies the visitor and allows the visitor to access thepark's facilities. Often, bands are worn as fashion accessories or toallow the wearer to make a statement (e.g., to support a cause such asmedical research, a political candidate, a sports team, or the like). Itis likely that the demand for wearable bands such as wristbands willcontinue to grow in the coming years.

One ongoing challenge for the makers of wristbands and other wearablebands is providing proper sizing for the end users. For example, mostmulti-size wristwatches include a first band portion that is attached ata first end to the timepiece and at a second end may have a number ofspaced apart holes. A second band portion is attached at its first endto the timepiece and at its second end may contain a buckle-style claspmechanism for mating with the holes of the first band portion. A personuses the clasp mechanism to both size the band about their wrist and toalso lock the timepiece to their wrist. The wristwatches are multi-sizein that the spaced apart holes allow the same wristwatch to be worn by aset of people whose wrists have a size that falls within a predefinedrange (e.g., a minimum and maximum sized wrist diameter defined by thefirst and last hole on the band).

However, people outside this predefined range would not be able to wearthe wristwatch, and the wristwatch manufacturer either simply losesthese sales or may provide additional wristwatches that have differentsize ranges to suit these other buyers. Unfortunately, this requiresadded inventory that may or may not be sold. Some efforts have been madeto provide band designs that allow the band to be sized for a particularperson, but these designs typically require specialized tools to adjustthe band and are expensive to manufacture. In other cases, a bandselected for a user to match their wrist size may be attached to thetimepiece, but, again, this typically requires a special tool forattachment of the band to the timepiece and may require the buyer tohave the watch sized by a trained technician.

As another example of the use of wearable bands, RFID wristbands arecommonly used in hospitals and entertainment venues to identifyindividual patients and guests. The wristband may include or provide alink to a variety of information such as the person's name, their roomnumber, a seating location for a show, entitlements permitted in thehospital or venue, and so on. The wristband is often designed to besecured or locked onto the wrist of the person during their stay at thehospital or participation in an entertainment event.

While these wristbands have been useful in identifying the patients andguests, their design has typically not effectively accommodated the widerange of users' wrist sizes, which has resulted in many users havingvery loose or too tight and uncomfortable fitting wristbands.Additionally, many wristband designs use either an adhesive closure thatis peeled away from the wristband or a separate, one-time plastic snapclosure. The adhesive closures sometimes do not provide the closingstrength desired and once removed, cannot be worn again. The plasticsnap closures provide greater closing strength but often areintentionally designed for one time use, which limits use of these bandson an ongoing or repeated basis. Further, the snap closures often do notsupport a large enough range of wrist sizes such that they are often tootight or cannot be worn comfortably or are too loose which may allowthem to fall off.

Accordingly, there remains a need for a low cost, multi-sizing mechanismfor RFID wristbands and other wearable bands or straps. The band designspreferably would have durable opening and closing features to allowreuse of the band and would support relatively inexpensive manufacturefrom a variety of available materials such as plastics, silicones,metals, leathers, cloths, and/or other materials used presently (and inthe future) for wearable bands. Further, there is a need for such amulti-sizing mechanism to be more fully adjustable to the wearer's wristsize, to provide a secure fastening mechanism that during regular wearcan be fastened and unfastened by the wearer with ease, and to providean aesthetic appearance that accommodates different wrist sizes within alarge audience or wearer demographic.

SUMMARY

To address the above and other problems with wearable bands such asidentification bands, a wearable band design is provided that allows awearer to easily adjust the size of the band to suit the size of theirwrist (or other body part such as the ankle or neck) through the use ofa “lasso” band element or extending/sizing band element that is loopedover and connected to the base or identification band element. The lassoband element may itself be a multi-part assembly that allows a user toselect a size such as by removing a layer or extension to its body.

It was recognized that prior techniques of providing multi-sizewristbands and similar products seemed to either require largeinventories or provided a disposable wristband that provided no ongoingrevenue source (or source of additional product sales). The wearableband assemblies described herein provide a product platform in that theytypically include a base portion (e.g., a band element with an RFID orother information technology component) and an interchangeable extendingor sizing portion (e.g., a lasso or sizing band element) that may besized by the user and readily attached and detached from the baseportion. In this manner, the wristband assembly permitsinterchangeability with a wide range of wearable styles of merchandiseproduct offerings as the lasso or sizing band element may be sold ordistributed separately from the base portion so as to allow auser/wearer to later purchase differing band elements to personalize ormodify their wristband or wearable band assembly. The base oridentification band element, though, may be provided in a single (orlimited number) of designs to simplify its design and reduce cost of itsmanufacture and distribution (or inventory costs as only one to severalchoices may be provided).

In some cases, a band assembly is provided that allows an RFID or otheridentification module to be worn by end-users that may have a wrist sizefalling within a relatively large range (or within two, three, or morewrist size ranges). The band assembly may be considered a two-piecedesign in that it includes: (a) a base or ID band element with a bodythat includes a user identification member such as an RFID tag or moduleat one end; and (b) a sizing or extending band element with a body orspoke that includes a loop or lasso at one end to loop around and attachto the base or ID band element (e.g., over the end containing the useridentification member). The two interlocking bands cover or are usefulwith a defined wristband size range.

The sizing band element (or product portion of the assembly) may havetwo (or more) layers or band members that when coupled together form afirst or largest size of the sizing band element. In one case, the twolayers or band members are interconnected or coupled via their sidewallsthat provide a zipper and/or snap mechanism (e.g., similar to a foodstorage bag closure device). Depending upon the user's wrist size, theymay peel away the outer layer(s) to reveal a sizing band element with adesired length or size to suit their needs (e.g., sized when combinedwith the base/ID band element to provide a properly sized wristband). Insuch a manner, the band assembly design allows for one side or half ofthe wristband to be used to contain or provide the RFID module orinformation storage unit and for the other side or half of the wristbandto be fully interchangeable and sizable, which allows their use asproduct modules by the designer and/or distributor of the wristbandswhile the base or ID band element may be thought of as the productplatform.

More particularly, a wearable band is provided with an adjustable sizeor length. The band includes a first band element (or base band) with abody extending from a first to a second end, which includes a raisedcenter member such as may be used to contain a user ID member (e.g., anRFID tag/module). The body of the first band element may have an outershape and length as defined by an outer sidewall and body may berelatively thin and planar. The wearable band assembly further includesa second band element with a body extending from a first to a secondend. The second end of this body may include a loop or lasso that isdefined by an inner surface of a sidewall (or loop structure sidewall).In use, the outer sidewall of the raised center member/user ID modulemay be detachably coupled to the inner surface of the loop-definingsidewall (or to the loop structure) when the center member is receivedwithin and captured by the loop.

To provide sizing, the second band element (or band sizing assembly) mayinclude an inner band sizing element including the loop-definingsidewall at one of its ends. The second band element may further includean outer band sizing element that is detachably coupled to the innerband sizing element. The length of the second band element is thendefined by the combined length of the inner and outer band sizingelements so as to cover two ranges of wearers' wrist sizes by includingboth elements or removing/decoupling the outer band sizing element fromthe inner band sizing element. The inner band sizing element may have anelongated, planar body and the outer band sizing element may include apair of arms that extend along and selective couple with the body of theinner band sizing element. The coupling mechanism used to couple thesetwo sizing elements may be a tongue and groove arrangement.

Further, to couple the lasso or loop to the raised center member, theouter sidewall of the raised member may have a recessed surface orgroove while the inner surface of the loop sidewall may include acorresponding or matched rib or raised surface. In this manner, thesecond band element may be coupled to the first band element when theraised center or ID member is received in or inserted into the loop suchthat the two sidewalls are in abutting contact with the rib received orsnapped into the recessed groove. The loop sidewall may be formed of anelastic or deformable material such as plastic or rubber to allow it tomore readily be stretched about the raised center member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a wearable band assembly of anembodiment of this description as may be delivered or provided to apurchaser or wearer (e.g., assembled to have a maximum or largest lengthsuch as to suit a maximum sized wrist or to suit a group or range oflarger wrist sizes);

FIG. 2 illustrates a tape measure or tool that may be used by apurchaser/wearer of a band assembly to size their wrist and furtherillustrates a graph showing grouping of wrist sizes or ranges of wristsizes to correspond to lengths/sizes of a band assembly (such as theassembly of FIG. 1) via inclusion or exclusion of a number of bandlayers or band sizing elements (or simply “band elements” or“extensions”);

FIG. 3 illustrates a user or wearer wearing the band assembly shown inFIG. 1 with one (or more) of the band layers or band sizing/extensionelements included so as to size the wrist assembly to the wrist ofusers/wearers (e.g., including more layers/elements increases the sizeof the band while peeling away or removing layers/elements reduces thesize of the band);

FIG. 4 illustrates the base or identification band element (e.g., bandpiece with an RFID module or the like);

FIG. 5 illustrates the sizing or extension assembly with allsizing/extension band element or layers included such that the sizingassembly is at a maximum size (in this case, including two sizingelements but other embodiments may include 3 or more sizing layers);

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the sizing band assembly of FIG. 5 showingan outer layer or band element peeled away or separated from an innerlayer or band element (which includes the coupling portion or lassocomponent for attaching to the base band element such as about the ID orintelligence portion/member);

FIG. 7 illustrates a wearable band assembly formed by coupling the baseband element of FIG. 4 with the inner layer or band element of thesizing assembly shown in FIG. 6 (e.g., to provide a band assemblysuitable for a population with a relatively small wrist size);

FIG. 8 illustrates a sectional view of the sizing assembly taken alongline 8-8 and showing a coupling or interconnecting mechanism or assemblyprovided at the adjoining or mating edges/sidewalls of the band sizinglayers/elements to facilitate tool-less connection and removal of thelayers/elements to provide a multi-sizing mechanism with the bandassembly;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the coupling or interconnecting mechanismshown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the band assembly of FIG. 7 taken alongline 10-10 showing the coupling of the lasso portion of the inner sizinglayer/band element to the identification/intelligence portion or memberof the base band element;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the connection or joining provided withinthe band assembly of FIGS. 7 and 10;

FIGS. 12A-12C show three embodiments of band assemblies that may utilizethe interconnecting/coupling mechanisms of FIGS. 10 and 11 to provide atwo-piece, wearable band assembly to provide two ranges of band sizes;

FIG. 13 illustrates an exploded or disassembled, partial view of anotherwearable band assembly that may include an optional decorative cap orinsert that may be retained between a head/user ID member and a loop orlasso component;

FIG. 14 illustrates the wearable band assembly of FIG. 13 after assembly(e.g., as it may appear when worn on a user's wrist);

FIG. 15 illustrates the wearable band assembly of FIG. 13 after assemblysimilar to FIG. 14 but without use of the optional cap or insert;

FIG. 16 illustrates a partial exploded or disassembled view of thewearable band assembly of FIG. 15 providing additional details of thelasso band element (or extending/sizing band element) and the base oridentification band element;

FIG. 17 illustrates the wearable band assembly of FIGS. 15 and 16 duringassembly or disassembly by a user; and

FIG. 18 illustrates a sectional view of the wearable band assembly ofFIG. 14 showing interconnection of the lasso component with the baseband element (or its user identification member) and retention of thecap or insert by the lasso component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is generally directed toward a wearable bandsuch as a wristband that may be readily configured to one of two or moresizes by adding or removing sizing layers or members (or simply “bandextensions” or the like). The included figures illustrate severalembodiments of such a wearable band, but, prior to describing these bandembodiments, it may be useful to more generally describe exemplarywearable bands (which may also be called wristbands herein forsimplicity of explanation without being limited to use on a wrist) andadvantages of such bands when compared with existing bands or straps.Additionally, the following description highlights use of the bands asRFID wristbands, but it will be understood based on the description thatthe bands can readily be used with nearly any identification technology(such as barcodes or the like) as well as for bands withoutidentification technologies/readable information. For example, the bandsmay be used with timepieces/watches or as products worn for fashion orother reasons.

Generally, the wearable bands described herein are designed to addressor solve the multi-sizing and fastening mechanism problem that facesmakers of wrist and other bands. The bands are easy for end users toassemble or configure into a particular size and allow interchanging ofband layers/elements to personalize the bands. The bands are alsoadapted to make manufacture relatively inexpensive as its two-piecedesign provides a base band component or element (e.g., a band piece (orhalf of a wristband) that contains the identification module such asRFID tag or module) and a band sizing assembly. The base band elementand the band sizing assembly are coupled together and function togetherto provide a multi-size band that can be used by all or a large portionof the population. The supply chain is also simplified in this manner asone or several base designs may be offered to the consumers, who canoptionally personalize their bands by purchasing personalized/customizedportions of the band (e.g., replacing all or portions of the band sizingassembly).

In one example, an adjustable RFID wristband is provided that can bemanufactured from a variety of modern day materials including plastics,rubbers, and silicones and even, in some cases, metals, leathers,cloths/textiles, and other materials. The wristband is fully adjustableby the wearer to suit their wrist size and also provides an aestheticappearance. The wristband is also adapted to provide a secure wristbandfastening mechanism that during regular wear can be fastened andunfastened by the wearer with exceptional ease (e.g., the band supportsreuse rather than being a one-time product as was the case with manyprior one-size-fits-all straps). This embodiment may be thought of asproviding a band assembly made up of a two-piece band design including abase or identification band element (e.g., see FIG. 4) and a band sizingassembly made up of two, three, or more “wearable” layers/band elements(e.g., see FIGS. 5 and 6). Each layer or element in the sizing assemblymay be retained or removed (peeled away) to allow the wristband to coveror be used with a defined wristband size range or wrist size range (seeFIGS. 2 and 3 showing exemplary sizing groups and an assembled wristbandworn on a user's wrist).

The inner band element of the sizing assembly includes a loop or lassostructure at one of its ends that may be coupled or mated with theidentification portion or member provided on the end of the base bandelement (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 in assembled wristbands). Each of theband layers/elements of the band sizing assembly may have one or moreedges/sidewalls that are designed to provide an interlocking/couplingmechanism that allows the layers/elements to be locked together and tobe separated by the user to size the sizing band assembly and,consequently, the assembled wristband. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8and 9, the interlocking/coupling mechanism may take the form of a peelaway mechanism (e.g., a horizontally orientated tongue and groovearrangement similar to that found in some liquid beverage container capswith a removable security/sanitary band).

In use, the wristband assembly may initially be shipped or provided withall layers/elements assembled or coupled together such that thewristband is at its largest size or longest length (e.g., sized to fit arange of larger wrist sizes as shown in FIGS. 12A to 12C). The end usersmay then peel away layers or band elements from the band sizing assembly(e.g., an outer band element used to lengthen band sizing assembly whenmated to the exterior or outer sidewall/edge of the inner band elementin an assembly that is adapted to cover to wrist size ranges) to revealor resize the wristband that fits their specific wrist size (e.g., wear“as is” or remove the outer layer or band element). In some cases, theremoved layers may be replaced by other band elements, too, so as toallow the end user to personalize/customize their band as well as tosize it to their wrists or to allow the wristband to be used on morethan one wrist size (e.g., not permanently sized upon removal/peelingaway a layer or band element).

Prior to the band designs presented herein, many wristbands used eitheran adhesive closure that is peeled away from the wristband or aseparate, one-time plastic snap closure. The adhesive closures sometimesdid not provide a desired closing strength and once removed could not beworn again. The plastic snaps provided a greater closing strength butwere also often designed for one-time use, did not fit the wearercomfortably, and/or were too loose. With regard to other bandapplications, a typical wristwatch incorporates a buckle-style watchclasp. Similar to shoe manufacturing, most wristwatches are designed toa particular style with that same style or product run having a varietyof wristwatch bands in different sizes to accommodate the specific endusers' wrist sizes. However, similar to shoe shopping, when an end userpurchases a wristwatch they try on different sizes of wristwatches (orwristwatch bands) of the same style to determine which band fits themappropriately. Because of the variability of different end user wristsizes, the watch retailer must keep a large inventory of differentwristband sizes to accommodate their customers, which significantlyincreases inventory costs for the retailer that may be acceptable insome settings (such as for higher end band products such as certainwristwatches).

However, in many fashion and wearer ID settings (such as entertainmentvenues and the like), it is much more desirable to be able to provide aone-size-fits-all solution or band design that can be sized by theseller or the wearer to suit their wrist size rather than carryingnumerous versions/sizes of the band. The described wearable bandsprovide a “one size fits all” design that provides at least two andsometimes three or more wearable and user-selectable/interchangeableband sizing layers/elements in a band sizing assembly (e.g., the productor extension portion of the two-piece band design), with the inner bandlayer/element attached to the base band element via a loop or lassoprovided at one end of the inner band layer/element. This configurationallows a venue operator or provider of bands to maintain one common baseband (e.g., the intelligence or ID portion of the two-piece band)inventory and one or more sizing band elements that together accommodatea wide range of wrist sizes (e.g., address the multi-sizing problemassociated with serving large audience/customer bases).

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a wearable band assembly 100 thatmay be used to provide a single band product that can be worn or used bypeople (i.e., wearers or users) with wrist sizes that fall within one oftwo, three, or more predefined size groups. The band assembly 100 may bethought of as providing a two-piece band design that includes a baseband or base band element 110 and a band sizing assembly 130. The bandassembly also includes a clasp 150 for fastening the interconnected orcoupled band element 110 and sizing assembly 130 to a wearer's wrist (asshown in FIG. 3). The wearer may simply peel away or remove layers orsizing elements from sizing assembly 130 (and reposition the clasp 150as appropriate in holes in body 132) to size the band assembly 100 tofit their wrist.

The band element 110 may be thought of as the base or, in some cases,intelligence (or ID) band or component as this layer/element 110 isincluded in each configuration of the band assembly 100. The base band110 has a body 112 that extends from a first end 116 to a second end 117where it is connected to or where in includes a head (or, in manyembodiments, a user identification member) 120. The shape of the body112 is defined by an outer edge or sidewall 114 that extends about theperiphery of the body 112, and, as shown, the body may be rectangularwith a rounded or circular end 116 and head 120. The head/useridentification member 120 of the body 112 also includes a portion of acoupling or interconnecting mechanism (such as shown in FIGS. 4, 10, and11 or other configuration useful for connecting two bands 110, 130 ofthe assembly 100) used to connect or lock it to adjacent/overlappingsizing assembly 130.

The body 112 also include a number of holes 118 extending through itsthickness at least at the end 116 such that the clasp 150 may beinserted into or mounted on a hole 118 in end 116 and then the clasp 150may be extended through a hole in the opposite end 136 of the bandassembly 100 (found in body 132 of sizing assembly 130) to securelyclose the band assembly 100 upon a wrist when the band assembly 100 isconfigured/sized (by selecting layers/elements of body 132). The baseband 110 also may include an identification technology portion 120connected at 117 to body 112 such as in embodiments in which the bandassembly 100 is adapted for identifying the wearer such as by theinclusion of an RFID transceiver or RFID element embedded within the IDtechnology portion (or user identification member) 120 of the body 112.

The band assembly 100 also includes a second piece in the form of a bandsizing assembly 130 that can be selectively coupled to the edge of thehead or user identification member 120 as part of sizing orpersonalizing the band assembly 100. As shown, the band sizing assembly130 includes a body 132 that extends from a first end 136 (which mayhave holes for receiving/mating with clasp 150) to a second end 137. Asis explained below, the body 132 is formed of an inner layer or sizingelement/extension about which one or more outer layers/sizing elementsmay be provided to provide a user adjustable or sized assembly 130 (andband assembly 100). The shape of the body 132 is defined in part by theouter sidewall or edge 134 that extends about the periphery of theassembly 130. The body 132 may be generally rectangular in its outershape with rounded end 136 as defined by the outer edge or sidewall 134.Also, like the base band 110, the body 132 of the sizing assembly 130may include a number of holes in or near end 136 such that the clasp 150(with a clasp head or portion larger than the holes being shown in FIG.1 that prevents it from passing through the holes) may be mounted on thesizing assembly 130 (or on body 112 of base band 110).

Significantly, the sizing assembly 130 includes a loop or lassocomponent 140 to allow the base band or base band element 110 to bemated with or captured by the sizing band assembly 130 (e.g., by innersizing element of the assembly 130). The loop or lasso 140 is explainedin more detail with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, 10, and 11 but, briefly,the loop or lasso 140 includes sidewall 142 that has an inner surface146 that typically extends continuously (although this is not required)to define a hole for receiving the head 120, which protrudes or extendsupward from the body 112 of the base band 110 (e.g., extends a heighttransverse to a plane containing the body 112 or the like). In somecases, the surface 146 of sidewall 142 is press fit onto the head 120while in other cases (as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11) the loop wall 142 issnapped into place about the periphery of the head or useridentification member 120 (e.g., with use of a raised rib or surface onthe inner wall surface 146 that is received in a corresponding detent orrecessed surface in the sidewall of the head 120 (or vice versa)). Thehole defined by the inner edge/surface 146 generally has a shape anddimensions that match the dimensions and shape of the head 120 asdefined by its outer edge/sidewall (e.g., the hole has a length andwidth that defines an oval or circular shape when the head 120 is ovalor circular or the like).

The bodies 112, 132 may be formed of the same or differing materials,and these materials may vary to implement the assembly 100. In someembodiments, the bodies 112, 132 are formed of a plastic, a rubber(e.g., a silicone or the like), or similar material that may berelatively rigid but still be comfortable to wear and also be flexibleto facilitate coupling of the two band pieces 110, 130 at the matingpoints between wall 142 and head 120 and coupling of the sizing layersor band elements of body 132. The number of holes 118 (and in body 132)may also be varied widely to practice the assembly 100 as well as thespacing between adjacent ones of the holes. Generally, one to three ormore holes will be provided on each end 116, 136 such that the clasp 150may be mounted and to allow connection of the two ends of a particulararrangement of assembly 130 and band 110 and to allow the band assembly100 to be sized for a range of wrist sizes in each of its two or moreconfigurations. In other words, the band element 110 provides a range ofsizes with its holes 118 and the configuration of the band sizingassembly 130 with its sizing layers/elements (see, for example, FIG. 6)provides a range of sizes and the combination of band 110 with sizingassembly 130 provides a range of band sizes via the inclusion of theholes rather than a single size with each configuration.

FIG. 2 illustrates a tape measure 210 that may be used by a wearer todetermine or measure their wrist size. The tape measure 210 includesmarkings 212 that indicate the measured size when the tape measure 210is wrapped about the wrist and aligned with the end of the tape measure210. As shown, in a human population, the smallest wrist size istypically about 90 millimeters (mm) while the largest wrist size is over200 mm (such as about 260 nun or more). In one embodiment, the bandassembly 100 may be provided or shipped with the tape measure 210, andthe user/wearer may use the tape measure to determine their wrist size.This wrist size may then be used to determine whether to remove any ofthe interchangeable sizing layers/extensions in band sizing assembly 130and if so, whether to remove one or more of the outer layers to properlysize their wrist band assembly 100.

In this regard, graph 220 illustrates exemplary groups 222, 224, 226that may be provided for a band assembly 100 for a typical humanpopulation. In this example, the band assembly 100 is a wristband andgraph 220 represents differing wrist sizes for which it is desirable toprovide a multi-sizing band assembly 100. As shown, a first group 222that typically includes children and adults with a smaller wrists isshown (e.g., wrists of about 100 to 130 mm or the like). In the bandassembly 100, the combination of the base band 110 and a first or innersizing band element or layer of the sizing assembly 130 (e.g., thesizing extension with the loop 140) may be configured to provide anassembly 100 with a length covering this first group. Holes 118 may beused to allow the assembly 100 to be worn by people with wrists fallinginto the first group 222 (e.g., less than about 130 mm in “diameter”).

A second group 224 may be defined or selected to include a range of“average” teens and adults. For example, the second group 224 may rangefrom about 130 mm (or some number smaller to provide overlap with group222 such as 125 mm) to about 190 mm or the like, and a second bandsizing layer or element (or first outer layer or extension) may beincluded in the sizing assembly 130. In this manner, the combination ofthe base band 110 and sizing assembly 130 may have a length that ischosen in combination with the arrangement of holes 118 to allow theband assembly 100 with coupled bands 110, 130 to be worn by individualshaving a wrist size between 130 and 190 mm (or other lower and upperbounds).

Finally, in this example, a third group 226 may be defined to includepeople with larger wrists such as wrists of 190 mm to 240 mm (or someother lower and upper bounds with the lower bound often being chosen toprovide an overlap of the second and third groups 224, 226 such as 185mm when the second group upper bound is 190 mm). A third band sizinglayer or element may be provided in the sizing assembly 130 that isdesigned or chosen such that the assembly 100 now has a greater lengthsuch that this length when combined with the arrangement of holes 118allows people with wrist sizes falling in the third group 226 to wearthe band assembly 100. In the following example, though, the band sizingassembly 130 is shown to only include two band sizing layers or elements(e.g., an inner layer/element and a selectively removable outerlayer/element) such that the band assembly 100 may be worn by peoplewith wrists of sizes falling into two groups instead of three (which mayrequire more holes 118 to allow more adjustments via the connection withclasp 150). For example, the first group in such a two part assembly 130may be to cover wrist sizes up to about 150 mm (or some other pointwithin the adult population 224) while the second group would cover therest of the population (or some predefined maximum size) such up toabout 260 mm or the like.

FIG. 3 illustrates the use of the band assembly 100 in one configuration310 to provide a band with a length sized to the particular wrist 312and its diameter/size, D_(wrist). In configuration 310, the bandassembly 100 may be configured as shown in FIG. 1 to include all bandsizing layers or band elements in body 132 of sizing assembly 130, andthe sizing assembly 130 is coupled to the base band 110 via a lasso/loop140 attached to user identification or head member 120. The two pieces110, 130 are also coupled at their other ends 116, 136 via clasp 150although this is not shown or is hidden from view in FIG. 3. The bandassembly 100 may be sized to suit a first group of wrist sizes byretaining (or adding) one or more outer band sizing elements to the body132 or to suit a second group of wrist sizes (a range of smaller wristsizes) by removing/peeling away one or more band sizing elements fromthe body 132 (e.g., retaining just the inner sizing element with loop140). In this manner in embodiments where the band assembly 100 providesuser identification, the ID technology element 120 within base bandelement 110 is included in the band 100 in all configurations of theassembly 100 as is at least the inner sizing element of the sizingassembly 130 that provides the lasso/loop structure 140. In someembodiments, the sizing assembly 130 or one or more of its sizingelements may be exchanged or interchanged by the wearer for non-standardor original elements so as to customize the look to suit the wearer.

FIG. 4 illustrates in more detail the base band or base band element 110that may be included as one piece of the two-piece band assembly 100shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The base band 110 has a body 112 that has afirst length, L₁, that when combined with the length of the sizing bandassembly 130 helps to define the overall length of the band assembly100, and, in this regard, the length, L₁, may be about one half (or someother fractional amount) of overall length with the band assembly at itshortest or longest configuration (i.e., with only an inner sizingelement or with one or more outer sizing elements or layers). The body112 may be an elongated strip with an outer shape defined by the outerwall/edge 114 with a first width, W₁, extending from the outer or firstend 116 to the inner or second end 117.

At the end 117, the body 112 includes (or is attached to) the head 120,which may be merely a fashion item or may include “intelligence” in theform of a timepiece, an identification module (such as an RFID module, abar code, or the like), or other component that provides one or morefunctions for the user. In some embodiments, the head 120 includes anembedded RFID transceiver that is programmed for the intended wearer ofthe band 110. As shown, the head 120 is provided on a base or platform410 of the body 112 that has a second width, W₂, that may be greaterthan the first width, W₁, of the body 112.

The platform 410 defines a shelf or shoulder 412 between theedge/sidewall of the platform 410 and the sidewall 416 of the head oruser identification member 120 as the head 120 has a third width, W₃,that is less than the platform width, W₂ (e.g., about the width, W₁, ofmuch of the body 112). In use as shown in FIG. 1, a loop or lasso 140 isslipped over the head 120 and abuts or is adjacent the sidewall 416 andis slid onto the head 120 until it abuts or is proximate to the shouldersurface 412. The lasso or loop 140 may simply capture the head 416 dueto a press fit and friction between the bands 110, 130, but, often, amore secure coupling may be provided such as via a recessed surface atthe lower portion of wall 416 near the shoulder 412 receiving a raisedportion or rib on the inner surface 146 of sidewall 142 of the loop 140(e.g., a snap detent arrangement).

To this end, FIG. 5 illustrates the band sizing assembly 130 that may becoupled with the base band element 110 to form a band assembly 100 sizedto a user's wrist. As shown, the hole or receiving gap defined by theloop/lasso sidewall 142 and inner surface 146 has a length, L₃, that isabout the same or some amount less than the length, L₂, of the head 120to either provide a snug or even press fit (interference type fit) thatis useful with many materials used for the head 120 and sidewall 142such as a rubber or a plastic. Similarly, the hole or receiving gap forthe head 120 may have a width, W₅, that is about the same as the headwidth, W₃, or somewhat less than such width to provide a snug capture orpress fit of the loop 140 over the head 120 (e.g., friction betweensurface 146 and sidewall 416 of the head 120 resists installation andlater removal of the loop 140 from the head 120).

The band sizing assembly 130, in this embodiment, includes an innersizing layer or element 510 to which is coupled an outer sizing layer orelement 520. FIG. 5 illustrates the outer sizing layer 520 coupled orinterconnected to the inner sizing layer or element 520 to provide asizing assembly 130 with a length, L₄, and this length, L₄, definesalong with the length, L₁, of the base band 110, the overall length of aband assembly 100 that may be useful for wearing by people whose wristsfall within a range of larger wrist sizes. The inner sizing element 510includes a body 512 extending from a first or outer end 516 (where claspreceiving holes 518 are provided) to a second or inner end 137 where theloop structure 140 is provided. The body 512 has a width and shapedefined in part by sidewall or edge 514, and this sidewall 514 providesa portion of a coupling or interlocking mechanism when paired with innersidewall or edge 526 of the outer sizing element 520.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of the band assembly 130 showing(with line 604) that the outer sizing element 520 may be selectivelypeeled away from and later reattached to the body 512 of inner sizingelement 510. When the outer sizing element 520 is peeled away, the innersizing element 510 has a length, L₅, which is shorter than the length,L₄, of the sizing assembly 130 shown in FIG. 5 and which may bedesirable for defining a smaller size/length of the band assembly 100 asshown in FIG. 7, e.g., for wearers having a wrist size that falls into agroup or range of smaller wrist sizes (e.g., less than about 150 mm,less than about 140 mm, or the like). The two-piece design of theassembly 130 allows a user to readily size the assembly 130 to suittheir wrist size without requiring tools to remove and later reattach(in some embodiments) the outer sizing element 520.

The outer sizing element 520 includes a body 522 with spaced apart arms524, 525 that extend away from the end 528 toward the loop 140. Asshown, the arms 524, 525 are defined in part by an inner sidewall of thebody 522, and this sidewall/edge 526 extends (when the two pieces 510,520 are assembled) along the body 512 of the inner sizing element 510 soas to abut and couple/interconnect the body 522 of the outer sizingelement to the body 512 of the inner sizing element. The sidewall 526may define the inner surfaces of the arms 524, 525 as an elongated,narrow U-shape but such a shape, of course, will be varied tosuit/receive the shape of the body 512 of the inner sizing element 510.The body 522 has a width, W₄, that is typically greater than the widthof the inner sizing element body 512 but often less than the loop'souter surfaces. At the end 528, the body 522 may include one or moreholes 529 extending through the body 522 to receive the posts/poppets ofthe clasp 150.

FIG. 8 illustrates a sectional view of a portion of the band sizingassembly 130 taken at line 8-8 in FIG. 5. As shown, the coupling orinterconnection mechanism of the assembly 130 is provided via theconfigurations of the abutting or mating sidewalls 514 and 526 of theinner sizing element 510 and the outer sizing element 520. Specifically,these sidewalls 514, 526 may be mated along all or a portion of theperiphery of body 512 as defined by sidewall or edge 514 of the innersizing element 510 with the arms 524, 525 of the outer sizing element520 layered onto or linked to the body 512. The coupling mechanism maytake a number of forms to practice the assembly 100.

As shown in the enlarged view 910 of FIG. 9, an embodiment of theassembly or the band sizing assembly 130 calls for a tongue and groovearrangement to seal the two components 510, 520 where the sidewalls 514,526 meet each other (e.g., periphery of body 512 or the like). As shown,the tongue and groove may be achieved by providing a post(s) 920 on thesidewall or edge 514, e.g., a centrally located post or rib extendingoutward a distance (e.g., equal to about the depth, d₁, of the recessedsurface/groove 930). The post 920 may have a square or rectangular crosssectional shape as shown or take another shape, and the magnitude of thepost height or recessed surface depth, d₁, may also vary to practice theassembly 100 (e.g., may be about one quarter to one half or more of thethickness of the body 512 or 522 (which may be about equal to eachother)).

The outer sizing element 520 may provide the second half of the couplingmechanism with its sidewall 526 providing the groove or recessed surface930 for receiving the post or rib 920. To this end, the surface 930typically will have a depth, d₁, and cross sectional shape (such aswidth) corresponding to the post 920 (e.g., rectangular with same depthand width or somewhat smaller for a press fit or somewhat larger toensure insertion of post 920). The walls of the post 920 and/or recessedsurface/groove 930 may be textured to resist disengagement of the layers510, 520 while a secure locking function may be furthered in someembodiments (not shown) by including a raised surface(s) or rib(s) onthe sides of the post that fit into corresponding recessed surfaces orgrooves in the sides of the recessed surface or groove 930.

Referring back to FIG. 7, a band assembly 100 is shown that may becreated by the attachment of the inner sizing band 510 with the clasp150 onto the base band element 110. Specifically, and as shown by FIGS.5 and 6, the band sizing assembly 130 is modified by the decoupling orremoval 604 of the outer sizing layer 520 from the inner sizing layer510. This results in a shorter or smaller sizing band assembly 130 thatonly includes the inner sizing element 510 and has a length, L₅, whichis shorter than the length, L₄, provided by the assembly 130 withinclusion of outer sizing element 520. As shown, the loop 140 ispositioned with its sidewall 142 over the head such that the innersurface 146 of loop sidewall 142 is proximate to and, typically,captures the head 120 (or securely connects the two pieces 110, 510together at a center portion of the band assembly 100).

FIG. 10 illustrates a sectional view of the band assembly 100 takenalong line 10-10 in FIG. 7. The sectional view is useful for showing oneconfiguration for the clasp 150. In this configuration, the clasp 150includes a body or head 1052 that is larger than the holes 518 and, inthis case, extends over two holes 518. The body 1052 may lie flushagainst or nearly flush against the body 512 of the inner sizing element510 (or the body 522 of the outer sizing element 520 when the sizingassembly 130 is in an extended or expanded state to suit larger wristsizes). The clasp 150 may include a pair of posts or poppets 1054 thatextend out from the body 1052 a height or distance that typicallyexceeds at least about twice the thickness of the bodies 512, 522 and112 such that band assembly 130 may be pierced by the posts 1054 as wellas the thickness of the body 112 when the band assembly 100 is attachedto a wrist.

The posts 1054 may include internal ribs 1056 to provide a shoulder oflarger diameter (e.g., larger than the post and hole diameters) suchthat once the post 1054 is pushed through the body 512 it mates with thebody 512 opposite the clasp body 1052 to resist the clasp 150 fallingoff (e.g., requiring force to be applied to remove the clasp 150 fromthe sizing element 510). Likewise, the posts 1054 may include ribs orheads 1058 at or near their ends with diameters exceeding the diametersof the holes 118 of the body 112 such that once the heads 1058 arepushed through the holes 118 the heads (or their shoulders) mate withthe body 112 to resist disengagement of the base band element 110 fromthe sizing element (here inner sizing element 510 but in other caseselement 520). The distance between a rib 1056 and a head 1058 on a post1054 typically will match or slightly exceed the thickness of the body112 and the spacing between posts 1054 typically will match the spacingbetween holes 118 in body 112 of the base band 110 and holes 518 in thesizing element 510 (or holes 529 in the body 522 of the outer sizingelement 520).

More significantly, FIG. 10 shows one technique for providing thecoupling mechanism for attaching the band sizing assembly (or sizingelement 510 in this case) to the base band 110. As shown, at a secondend 117 of the base band body 112, the user identification member 120 isprovided and includes, in this example, an RFID module, tag,transceiver, or similar device 1010 on base 410. The RFID device 1010may be over-molded with the plastic or other material of the body 112.As shown in enlarged view 1120 of FIG. 11, the ID member 120 may have asidewall 416 that is generally vertical relative to the horizontal planeof the body 112 and base 410 such that the sidewall 416 extends outwardat first height, h₁, adjacent the body 112 and, in some cases, about therest of the periphery of ID member 120 as the base 410 may have athickness equal to about that of the body 112 and also extend out fromID member 120 sidewall 416 to provide shoulder 412 for receiving theloop sidewall 142 (see FIG. 4).

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the inner band sizing element 510 includesthe loop or loop structure 140 at an end 137. The loop 140 is defined bya sidewall 142 that typically will have a height equal to about that ofthe ID member sidewall or h₁, and the sidewall 142 typically is shapedsuch that the inner hole or receiving opening matches the outer shape ofthe ID member 120 as may be defined by the sidewall 416. In this manner,when the two band pieces 110, 510 are mated together, the loop 140extends about the periphery of the ID member 120 with the loop sidewall142 contacting and capturing the ID member 120. Specifically, the“vertical” sidewall 146 may extend a distance equal to about the height,h₁, transverse to the plane of the body 512 of inner sizing element 510and abut/contact the outer “vertical” sidewall 416 of the ID member 120,with the bottom or base of the sidewall 146 resting on or placedproximate to the receiving shoulder 412 of base 410.

To provide a snap fit and better retention of the loop 140 on ID member120, the two sidewalls 146, 416 may be configured for providing acoupling fit such as a tongue and groove arrangement, a snap fit, orother interlocking design. A snap detent design is shown in FIGS. 10 and11 with sidewall 416 of ID member 120 including a recessed surface orgroove 1122 about the periphery of the ID member 120 proximate to thebody 112 and base 410. The loop sidewall 142 includes a raised rib 1126for mating with the recessed surface 1122 when the loop is pressed overthe ID member 120 to have its base abut the shoulder 412 (e.g., the rib1126 may be near the base of the loop sidewall 142), and the recessedsurface or groove 1122 and the rib 1126 may be sized to match such as tohave a height (or thickness), h₂, that is significantly less than theoverall wall height, h₁, as well as a similar depth, d₁, to resistremoval of the loop 140 from the ID member 120 (or disassembly of thetwo band pieces 110, 510 (or assembly 130)). The rib 1126 is shown to besemicircular in cross sectional shape but other shapes may be used (suchas rectangular, triangular, or the like) and one rib 1126 is shown inFIGS. 10 and 11 but other embodiments may use 2 or more such ribs toprovide the coupling mechanism of the band assembly 100.

FIGS. 12A to 12C illustrate several additional embodiments 900, 940, 960of band assemblies 900, 940, 960 that may be used to implement atwo-piece interlocking band design that allows a user to size a band,such as an RFID band, a watch, or the like, to their wrist. The bandassembly 900 is similar to the assembly 100. The assembly 900 includes abase band 910 that may be combined with a band sizing assembly 930 viaan interlocking or coupling mechanism provided via a central portion(e.g., ID member) 920 and a loop 940. The base band includes a body 912with a first or outer end 914 with a series of holes 915, in which theclasp 916 is positioned, and with a second end to which the ID member920 is attached (e.g., a raised or thicker portion of body 912 in whichan RFID tag/chip may be provided). The ID member or center portion 920is generally oval in shape in this example.

The band assembly 900 also includes a band sizing assembly 930 that is atwo-piece construction made up of an inner band sizing element 932 andan outer band sizing element 936. The inner sizing element 932 has abody that extends from a first or outer end 933 to a loop 940, which maybe an integral portion or separate part affixed or linked to the body.The loop 940 is designed with a sidewall defining an opening of size andshape to receive the ID member or center portion 920, and the loop 940and member 920 have sides that provide a coupling mechanism (such as viasnap detents as discussed above for assembly 100). The body of innersizing element 932 includes numerous holes 938 arranged in a spacedapart but linear manner to allow a user to mate these with the clasp 916to size the band assembly 900 when attached to a wearer's wrist. Theband sizing assembly 930 also includes an outer band sizing element 936with a body extending (with linearly arranged holes 938) from an outerend 937 about the periphery of the body of the inner sizing element 932(e.g., with a tongue and groove or other interlocking arrangement) toallow the element 936 to be peeled away and then reattached. The body ofthe outer element 936 may have arms that extend the length of the bodyof the inner band sizing element 932 as shown or the attachment may beonly along a portion of the periphery of the body of inner element 932.

As shown in FIG. 12B, the band assembly 940 differs from the assembly900 in a number of ways. The assembly 940 is a two-piece assembly with abase band 942 with a clasp 950 provided in holes near one end of itsbody and a center portion or ID member 944 at a second, distal end. Thesecond piece may be provided as a band sizing assembly 948 (with onlythe inner band sizing element shown in this figures as compared withFIG. 12A). The assembly 940 differs from assembly 900 in that the centerportion 944 is not fully enclosed by the loop 949 of band sizingassembly 948. Instead, the center portion or ID member 944 is onlycaptured or encircled for a fraction of its periphery such as about halfof its sidewall. As shown, the ID member is a semi-circular shape asdefined by its sidewall that extends up from the body of the base band942 with a flat edge aligned with an outer edge/sidewall of the body ofbase band 942 and with a semi-circular or arched sidewall portion facinginward. The loop structure 949 in this case defines half a loop or lassowith its sidewall that is abutted against or placed in connectingcontact with the sidewall of ID member 944 (e.g., with a tongue andgroove or snap detent connection).

FIG. 12C illustrates another band assembly 960 similar to that shown inFIG. 12A with a full loop 970 encircling and coupling to a centerportion or ID member 964. The band assembly 960 is again a two-piecedesign with a base band 962 with a clasp 976 attached to one end forattaching the assembly 960 to a wrist. The second piece is provided bythe band sizing assembly 968, with only the inner band sizing elementshown in this case with loop 970 at an inner or second end and holesextending along its length from an outer or first end to the inner endnearer the loop 970. The assembly 960 is useful for showing that the IDmember sidewall and inner surface of the sidewall of the loop 970 maytake a variety of shapes to provide a band assembly 960. As shown, theID member 965 and loop 970 (or its opening or receiving gap) aregenerally circular with a textured surface (e.g., a star, a circle withridges, or the like). Other cross sectional shapes for the ID member 964will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art such as geometricalshapes such as triangles, rectangles, hexagons, and the like or moreintricate patterns (e.g., outer shape of a character's head or body orthe like).

The bodies of the band elements may generally have a single thickness,t_(Band), such that the band assembly is a substantially planar andtypically thin product or device (e.g., 0.0626 inches to about 0.25inches may be a typical thickness range for a plastic or rubber bandassembly). The ID component or central portion of the band assembly maybe thicker than the other portions of the body and include a cavity orpocket that may hold an ID device (e.g., an RFID chip or transceiver)while in other cases the ID component may be replaced by a timepiece ora fashion/personalization component. The clasp may take many forms suchas a multi-prong/poppet arrangement to engage two or more holes of oneof the band elements.

The design of the described band assembly (e.g., assembly 100) providesone common band that can be provided to a large population of users.This minimizes the number of products that have to be manufactured andlimits the inventory required to service the population. For example,one or two (or more) base designs (e.g., colors, lengths, shapes, and soon) of the band assembly may be produced for the base band and/or theband sizing assembly (or its components). Then, the end user can sizethe assembly to their wrist and also (optionally) customize the bandassembly by replacing the base band or, more typically, the inner orouter sizing elements of the band sizing assembly with other elements(e.g., replace the inner or outer band sizing elements 510 or 520 withuser-selected or user-specific components) that may have art or graphictreatments desired by the end user but that maintains the base/core bandelement 110 with its intelligence component 120 (such as the RFIDtechnology that may be programmed for the buyer/consumer).

In some embodiments, the interconnection or coupling between the baseband element and the band sizing assembly may be achieved with differingdesigns of the loop/lasso component and/or the user ID member. Also, itmay be desirable to further enhance the personalization and/orcustomization of a wearable band assembly, and this may be achieved byproviding an insert or cap that may be retained between the loop and theuser ID member or head of the base band element.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exploded view of a wearable band assembly 1300that generally includes a base band element 1310, a band sizing assembly1330 with a loop/lasso 1340, and also an optional cap or insert 1360.The base band element 1310 has a body 1312 that has a shape defined bysidewall 1314 and extends a length from a first (or outer) end 1316 to asecond (or inner) end 1317. At the first end, a clasp with prongs may beprovided or posts/studs may be provided as integral components of thebody 1312. Note, this is in contrast to prior embodiments in which theclasp was provided in the sizing band assembly with holes provided inthe base band element body.

At the second end 1317, a user ID member or raised portion 1320 isprovided in the base band element 1310. The user ID member 1320 may beconfigured with a base or platform 1321 defined to have a body enclosedby sidewall 1322, which extends about the periphery of the base 1321. Tofacilitate interconnection with the loop 1340, the user ID member 1320may include two or more ridges or snaps (e.g., elongated, raisedsurfaces) 1324 extending outward from the sidewall 1322. These may takenumerous forms and be of various numbers to practice the assembly 1300,but, as shown, the snaps 1324 may include two side snaps (one on eachside of the base 1321) and two spaced apart snaps on the front orleading edge of the base 1321. To further assist in interlocking theuser ID member 1320 with the loop 1340, a stop tab or tongue 1325 mayalso be provided on the leaded edge of the base 1321 such as near thelower portion of the sidewall 1322, and the stop tab 1325 may extendoutward more (e.g., two to four times) than the snaps 1324 and be longerand/or thicker than the snaps 1324 but this is not required.Additionally, to facilitate interconnection with loop 1340, a crease orrecessed surface 1338 may be provided between the second end 1317 of thebody 1312 and the sidewall 1322 of the base 1321 (e.g., a surface with ashape and size to receive a front wall/edge 1344 of the loop sidewall1342).

The user ID member 1320 also includes a top surface 1326 with a shapedefined by sidewall 1327 that extends upward from the base 1321, and thesurface may be unadorned or adorned with a decorative element(s). Toallow a cap 1360 to be received/retained, the sidewall 1327 is offsetfrom sidewall 1322 a distance, which forms/provides receiving surface orledge 1326 on base 1321. The body of the base 1321 may include an innerchamber 1328 in which a user ID element/device 1329 (such as an RFIDmodule or the like) is positioned, as discussed in more detail above.

The insert or cap 1360 is configured to be fit over the top surface 1326and rest upon ledge 1326. In some cases, the cap 1360 abuts sidewall1327 such as when it is press fit or substantially friction fit onto thebase 1321 of the user ID member 1320). The cap 1360 has a body 1364 on abase/platform 1362. The body 1364 may be hollow to receive the surface1326 and defined in shape by sidewall 1365 that is offset a distancethat creates surface/ledge 1363 (which may mate with a portion of theloop 1340 to retain the cap 1360 in the assembly 1300). The outer/uppersurface of body 1364 may be decorated with one or more graphical elementor the like so as to allow the wearer to customize or personalize theirparticular implementation of the wearable band assembly 1300, and thecaps 1360 are readily interchangeable such that they may be obtainedseparately and substituted to suit the wearer.

The sizing band assembly 1330 includes an elongated body or strap 1332with a shape defined by sidewall 1334 extending from a first or outerend 1336 to a second or inner end 1337. The body 1332 may include aseries of spaced-apart holes 1338 extending between these ends 1336,1336 that may be mated with a clasp or posts/prongs provided on end 1316of the base band element body 1312 to attach the assembly 1300 to auser's wrist or otherwise close the assembly 1300.

At the end 1337, the band sizing assembly 1300 includes a loop or lasso1340 that is adapted both to interconnect with the user ID member 1320and also to retain the cap/insert 1360 (when it is included in theassembly 1300). To this effect, the loop 1340 includes a sidewall 1342that defines and extends about a periphery of an opening or hole 1341through which the surface/top 1364 of cap 1360 may extend or be exposed(when flush or recessed relative to top of sidewall 1342). The sidewall1342 is shown to terminate at ends or edges 1345, and the loop 1340forms the hole 1341 in part with a leading or front sidewall 1344 thatextend between the ends/edges 1345. The hole 1341 may be oval as shownor nearly any desired shape such as circular, square, triangular, or thelike with the shape of the cap 1360 and surface 1326 being chosen tomatch the hole or opening 1341 (or vice versa).

The sidewall 1342 has an inner or mating surface 1346 that may abut orbe proximate to the sidewall 1322 of the user ID member 1320 when theassembly 1300 is assembled. To receive and/or retain the cap 1360, theinner surface 1346 may include a lip 1347 extending completely orpartially about the opening 1341, and the lip 1347 may mate with theledge/surface 1326 on the user ID member 1320 and/or abut or beproximate to sidewall 1327. Additionally, interconnection is supportedby the recessed surfaces (or simply recesses) 1348 provided in thesidewall inner surface 1346 for receiving the snaps/ridges 1324 alongthe side and front of the base 1321 (or in sidewall 1322).

FIG. 14 illustrates the wearable band assembly 1300 upon assembly.Specifically, the band 1300 has been formed by placing the cap 1360 overthe surface 1326 of the user ID member or head 1320. Then, the leadingor front edge 1344 of the loop 1340 was inserted or placed into therecessed surface or crevice 1338 between the body 1312 and head sidewall1322 of user ID member 1320, and the loop 1340 was pivoted toward andover the user ID member 1320. The ridges or snaps 1324 snap or engagewith the recessed surfaces 1348, and the stop tab 1325 abuts the body1332 to resist further travel of the pivoting loop 1340. In thisposition, the cap 1360 is trapped between the loop 1340 and the user IDmember 1320 with the cap 1360 resting on ledge 1326 and held down or inplace at least by lip 1347. FIG. 14 also shows the band elements 1310,1330 with their bodies 1312, 1332 coupled together via holes 1338 inbody 1332 that receive and couple with posts or studs 1404 extendingoutward from an inner surface on the end 1316 of body 1312 of the baseband element 1310 (and the studs 1404 may have larger heads that arereceived by recessed surface about holes 1338 in body 1332).

In some cases, the assembly 1300 may be formed without use or inclusionof the cap 1360. FIG. 15 illustrates such an implementation of wearableband assembly 1300. The loop 1340 extends about and interconnects (snaplocks) with the sidewall of the user ID member 1320. As shown, withoutthe cap 1360, the surface or top 1326 of the user ID member 1320 isvisible and/or accessible via the hole or opening 1341. FIG. 15 isuseful for showing that the cap 1360 is optional and that the loop 1340is configured to couple with the user ID member 1320 with or without thecap 1360 being included in the assembly 1300.

FIG. 16 provides another exploded or disassembled view of the wearableband assembly 1300 providing additional component details. As shown, arecess 1649 is provided in the loop 1340 such as in lower portion ofsidewall 1342 to provide a mating location or point for the stop tab1325 when the loop 1340 is fully pressed (as shown with arrow 1608) overthe user ID member 1320. FIG. 16 also provides additional details of therecesses 1348 in the inner surface 1346 of loop sidewall 1342 that areused to receive and provide a snap fit with front and side snaps 1324.The depth of the recesses 1348 may match or exceed the height of thesnaps 1324 (e.g., up to 1 mm or more), and, as shown, the length of thefront snaps 1324 may be some amount less than the side snaps 1324.Again, though, the number, size, spacing, and cross sectional shape ofthe snaps 1324 and corresponding recesses 1348 may be varied to practicethe assembly 1300.

FIG. 17 illustrates how the wearable band assembly 1300 shown in FIG. 15may be assembled 1702 or disassembled 1704 in a toolless and relativelyeasy manner by a wearer or user. As shown for assembly, the leading edge1344 is fit against end 1317 (e.g., into valley 1338) and then the loop1340 is pivoted 1702 to provide a snap fit or interconnection with theuser ID member 1320. When assembled, the snaps or ridges 1324 arereceived into the sidewall 1342 in recesses 1348 and the stop tab 1325fits into recess 1649. To later disassemble the band 1300 (such as toadd an insert 1360 or change out band sizing assembly 1330 with adifferent assembly), the user simply applies a separating force torotate 1704 the body 1332 away from the base band element 1310 whichapplies a force on pivot point provided by front/leading sidewall 1344in recess 1338 such that the snaps 1324 are pulled out of the recesses1348 in sidewall surface 1346 (unsnapped).

FIG. 18 provides a sectional view of the band assembly 1300 shown inFIG. 14 showing the interconnection of the user ID member 1320, cap1360, and loop 1340. As shown, the cap 1360 is placed over the surface1326 of the user ID member 1320. The loop 1340 is interconnected withthe user ID member 1320 with sidewall inner surface 1346 abutting thesidewall 1322 of the base 1321, with the front sidewall 1344 received insurface 1338 (e.g., abutting or proximate to body end 1317), and withthe stop tab 1325 in recess 1649. The cap 1360 is sandwiched between theloop 1340 and the user ID member 1320 such that when the loop 1340 issnapped on, the cap 1360 is held in place in the assembly 1300.Specifically, the base 1362 of the cap 1360 is placed on ledge 1326 ofthe user ID member 1320 and the loop sidewall 1342 holds the cap 1360 inplace via contact between the cap base 1362 and sidewall surface 1346,between the lip 1347 and retention surface 1363, and between sidewall1365 and top edge of sidewall 1342 (or edge of lip 1347).

As can be seen with the band assembly 1300, the use of a lasso or loop1340 for interconnecting the two-pieces or band elements provides alarge surface area 1364 that can be used as a wearer's personalbillboard to express their particular tastes (e.g., to show a favoritecharacter or the like). In some embodiments, the loop 1340 and user IDmember 1320 are formed of differing materials or of the same/similarmaterials but using differing colors, finishes, and/or patterns so as toexaggerate or highlight the part lines to emphasize theinterchangeability of the lasso concept in the assembly 1300. A varietyof materials may be used for the components such as polyurethane whichmay be laminated for the band bodies, for the loop sidewalls, and foruser ID member (or its body/sidewalls). In some cases, it is desirablethat the cap be formed of a harder and/or more durable material such aspolycarbonate or the like when the band elements are formed of a softpolyurethane or similar material. In some cases, the loop 1340 and/ortechnology band head or user ID member 1320, though, are formed of amore rigid material than the band bodies 1312, 1332, which may be formedof a more flexible and/or softer material.

The above described invention including the preferred embodiment and thebest mode of the invention known to the inventor at the time of filingis given by illustrative examples only. It will be readily appreciatedthat many deviations may be made from the specific embodiments disclosedin the specification without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A wearable band assembly with an adjustable length, comprising: afirst band element with a body extending from a first to a second endcomprising a raised center member, wherein the body has an outer shapedefined by an outer sidewall; and a second band element with a bodyextending from a first to a second end, wherein a loop is formed in thesecond end, the loop being defined by an inner surface of a sidewall andwherein the outer sidewall of the raised center member is detachablycoupled directly to the inner surface of the loop-defining sidewall, bya coupling mechanism provided on the inner surface of the sidewalldefining the loop, when the center member is received within the loop.2. The band assembly of claim 1, wherein the second band elementcomprises an inner band sizing element including the loop-definingsidewall and an outer band sizing element, the outer band sizing elementbeing detachably coupled to the inner band sizing element and a lengthof the body of the second band element being defined by a combinedlength of the inner and outer band sizing elements.
 3. The band assemblyof claim 2, wherein the inner band sizing element comprises anelongated, planar body and wherein the outer band sizing elementcomprises a pair of arms extending along sides of the body of the innerband sizing element
 4. The band assembly of claim 3, wherein the armsare attached to the body of the inner band sizing element with acoupling mechanism.
 5. The band assembly of claim 3, wherein thecoupling mechanism comprises a tongue extending outward from an outersidewall of the planar body of the inner band sizing element and agroove adapted for receiving the tongue provided along the innersidewall of the arms.
 6. The band assembly of claim 1, wherein the outersidewall of the raised center member includes a recessed groove andwherein the inner surface of the loop-defining sidewall includes araised rib, whereby the second band element is coupled to the first bandelement with the two sidewalls in abutting contact with the raised ribreceived in the recessed groove.
 7. The band assembly of claim 1,wherein the raised center member of the first band element comprises auser identification member storing information corresponding to a wearerof the band.
 8. The band assembly of claim 7, wherein the useridentification member comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID)tag.
 9. An identification band, comprising: a base band comprising asubstantially planar body with a user identification member provided ina raised portion of the base band body; and a band sizing assemblycomprising an inner band sizing element and an outer band sizingelement, wherein the inner band sizing element includes a loop formedwithin one end with an inner surface for selectively and directlycoupling with the raised portion of the base band body with a couplingmechanism provided on the inner surface of the loop and wherein theouter band sizing element is detachably coupled to the inner band sizingelement.
 10. The band of claim 9, wherein the user identification membercomprises a module with sidewalls extending upward a distance from theplanar body of the base band and wherein the sidewalls provide matingsurface for the inner surface of the loop.
 11. The band of claim 10,wherein the user identification member comprises an RFID device.
 12. Theband of claim 10, wherein the sidewalls include a groove and the innersurface of the loop includes a raised rib and wherein the loop locksonto the user identification member when the raised rib is placed withinthe groove, whereby the band sizing assembly is coupled with the baseband.
 13. The band of claim 10, wherein the base band body, the innerband sizing element, and the outer band sizing element each comprises anumber of holes extending therethrough and
 14. The band of claim 13,wherein the band further comprises a clasp with a post, the holes beingsized and shaped for receiving the post, whereby the clasp is mountableon the base band body, the inner band sizing element, or the outer bandsizing element.
 15. The band of claim 10, wherein the inner band sizingelement is coupled to the outer band sizing element via a tongue andgroove connection mechanism provided on abutting portions of an outersidewall of the inner band sizing element and of an inner sidewall ofthe outer band sizing element, whereby the outer band sizing element isselectively removable and attachable to the inner band sizing element todefine a length of the band sizing assembly.
 16. The band of claim 15,wherein the inner band sizing element comprises a an elongated, planarbody
 17. The band of claim 16, wherein the loop is defined by a sidewallextending transverse to a plane passing through the inner band sizingelement body to defined an enclosed space for receiving and engaging theraised portion of the base band body.
 18. The wristband of claim 16,wherein the loop extends about the entire periphery of the raisedportion of the based band body when the band sizing assembly is coupledto the base band via the loop and the raised portion.
 19. A wearableband, comprising: a first band element with a planar body having a shapedefined by an outer sidewall, the first band element comprising at oneend raised portion with sidewalls extending transverse to the a planepassing through the planar body of the first band element; a second bandelement with a planar body, wherein the second band element bodycomprises a loop formed within one end, the loop being defined by aninner surface of a wall extending outward from the one end of the secondband element body, wherein the first band element is detachably coupledto the second band element via a coupling mechanism mating the innersurface of the wall defining the loop directly with the sidewalls of theraised portion of the first band element body and wherein each of thebodies is elongated and comprises a number of linearly arranged andspaced apart holes on opposite ends of the bodies; and a clasp formating with at least two of the holes to couple two differing portionsof the bodies.
 20. The wearable band of claim 19, further comprising anRFID device provided in the raised portion of the first band elementbody.